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Porsche's New Electric Car Will Challenge Tesla

For the past 10 to 15 years, Tesla has been a pioneer in the electric automobile industry. When everyone was focused on hybrid vehicles, Elon Musk and company were busy perfecting their cutting-edge battery technology and all-electric powertrain. Fast forward almost a decade, and it’s no secret that electric transportation is the future; however, no manufacturers have been able to measure up to Tesla’s award-winning lineup of electric cars… until now. Porsche has unveiled its plans for a completely electric vehicle that will be just as affordable as a Tesla, while including all the luxury elements that are typically associated with Porsche’s luxury brand name. Porsche’s chairman Oliver Blume announced that the Mission E would officially go on sale by the end of 2019.

Comparable Costs

The biggest obstacles for Tesla, Porsche, and other manufacturers looking to get into the electric car industry are the ability to create a high-end electric vehicle that is affordable enough to market to middle class individuals and the ability to establish a worldwide electric-charging network. Tesla has established a solid charging network, while Porsche is playing catchup; however, Porsche’s new charging technology might make the entire process easier, saving its customers time and money in the long run.

The most surprising element of Porsche’s new Mission E model is definitely the cost. Despite its luxury appearance and groundbreaking technological advancements, the electric vehicle will only cost $85,000, which is comparable to an entry-level Porsche Panamera. To put that into perspective, the base version of the Tesla Model S currently goes for about $69,500; however, many believe that the Mission E is more comparable to Tesla’s luxury model, the Tesla Model S P100D, which currently sells for about $94,000.

Mission E Details

The Mission E will include all the bells and whistles that make Porsche a household name is the luxury automobile industry. First, it will include two motors that together will produce the equivalent of 60 horsepower. According to Porsche’s concept, the Mission E will be able to reach a top speed of around 155 miles per hour. It will take just 3.5 seconds to go from zero to 62 miles per hours; however, the Tesla Model S P100D can accomplish that feat in only 2.5 seconds.

The advanced lithium-ion battery extends the full length of the car so that the weight is distributed evenly throughout. Porsche’s unique charging technology allows drivers to simply drive over a charging plate in a garage or parking structure to automatically begin powering back up. Of course, drivers can use the conventional charging port, located in the front fender, to charge at any charging station. The Mission E can be charged to 80% power in just 15 minutes, allowing for a range of 250 miles. At full power, the vehicle can travel up to 310 miles. Compared to Tesla’s 294 miles at full power, that is a pretty solid upgrade.

Those elements are all comparable to a Tesla, but the fun, sporty additions to the Mission E will certainly make it stand out among competitors. Those additions include suicide doors, 360-degree cameras that replace rear-view mirrors, eye-tracking technology located on the steering wheel to help control the dashboard, and auto-shifting screens that will move as the driver moves to present optimal visibility.